15th ANNIVERSARY / NO MORE DISCOUNTS - SHAME ON YOU.

I sent out a little e mail informing people we were celebrating our 15th anniversary here at Hamilton Hall
and these are just a very few of the hundreds of answers received:

Congratulations, John! We've always enjoyed our visits and look forward to whenever we are able to return. I know you've had problems from time to time (yep, I read all those emails!!) but just to say we appreciate you and the service you provide. Thank you. Much love, Ian and Chris

Dear John, Happy Anniversary to Hamilton Hall. You did it, and pretty well ! You can be proud of you with all the time and energy you dedicated to this place. There's certainly a "before" and "after" when I first came to Hamilton Hall. As you already wrote, there's no other gay venue like yours, thanks to your consciousness, your heart and your way of welcoming guests. Keep up the good work, my dear John. All the best for the next 15 years. Regards Didier ( Paris )

Hi John. Warm congratulations on the 15 years anniversary. I came to HH first time for Easter 2005 after my wife died and I came out with a bang!! So it’s my 10th anniversary. It was your Man-to-Man Sexuality workshop weekend and I had a wonderful time. So thanks John, and keep going. Yours James

John. Top marks to you John. Top of the class for ingenuity, imagination and balls. You took that dream in your head and you made it a reality. I know of no one who has the gumption you have and as a not for profit venue, you really are to be admired. So many are all about profit and screwing each other over while you work from your heart John, and I truly admire you for that. Malc.

John. The gay scene is shit while you are a diamond. The gay scene is full of emty headed queens while you have a passion for mankind a doing what is right. The gay scene takes - while you give - and the gay media are no better than Murdoch and his cronies while you offer us truth. There truly is nowhere and no one quite like you and Hamilton Hall. Happy 15th to you both. Barry (BA London )

Well done John. The best gay venue. The best gay man. The most thoughtful host and the best cook. What more could a person ask. Congratulations John. Clive.

John, Thank you for all the time and effort you have put in to defeat the system and complete 15 Years against all the odds, and all the bloody minded officials you have beaten. I can only begin to imagine the emotional cost over the years and I for one will make full use of what is the one and only special place where we can relax in peace and tranquility, in good company. See you on Friday,Philip.

John. The work you have out in. the emotional work as well as the physical is poutstanding and I wonder if many people know what you have had to go through to get to where you are today. Fughting city hall etc. I admir you enormously John and you are certainly a huge part of gay culture and a folk hero. Bradley ( New York )

Well done john for being a pillar and heart of our community , warm hug steve

Happy anniversary John ! I’ve stayed at the Hamilton Hall a couple of times, admired the passion and strong stance you take on important issues and of course saw you on “Four In A Bed “ ! Wishing you another 15 years of success. Jonathan.

Congratulations, on 15 years, I'm sure it hasn't always been plain sailing! Best wishes for the next 15 ! Stephen.
Many congratulations a John. Your a star but I think you already know that. Lots of love William

Thankyou to you too John You are a the most wonderful, beautiful, caring, special kinda guy. As Spocky says "Live long & prosper" especially your very special baby Hamilton Hall Hotel the jewel of sunny Bournemouth (Boscombe) A very satisfied holiday maker who loves you John

Many congratulations John. You and your team have worked consistently hard towards this end. Hope yo enjoy your so comfortable hospitality sometime this year, All my best wishes to you Clive

John....congratulations...wish I were able to visit England...but not in the cards!!!!! Barry, Orlando, FL

Congratulations John. Just wish we had someone and somewhere like Hamilton Hall here in America. With the insanity taking place in this coiuntry these days we need all the help we can get and you are certainly one of the people to help. Geoff ( Colorado )

Congratulations!!! I hope to visit one day soon. Sounds like a piece of paradise! Enjoy your anniversary!! Drew.

Happy anniversary, John! You are a great success! I'll give you a big one-armed salute! congratulations, seriously! Michael in PA USA

Congratulations John !And here´s to the next 15 years :-) Simon in Berlin.

Hi John This is just to wish you a happy anniversary – sorry I was not able to join you! I really have to say a big thank you for all the times I have stayed with you – you have been so friendly and welcoming . It is a great pleasure to spend time at HH and i hope to return many many times Very very best wishes for your special day and hope to see you again soon. best wishes lan

Wow. Congrats and so glad things are going so well. Def have to save my pennies and come for an extended visit. Keep up the great work!!! gREG.

John, I have not met u yet. But I believe I have got enough of a flavour of u that I know, u r a person I want to know more of. And will probably like a great deal. At least in several areas ! Take care. Because just the idea of your venue has personally helped me. Take care. Live long & prosper, Craig x

John, Congratulations and best wishes for another 15. By the, I should be able to get there from NJ, USA to come for a week. Ed

Congratulations, it is a wonderful place and I really do need to come again. pAULK.

Truly amazing John. Remember when we would sit in Hammersmith and you would hold the dream of openiong such a venue, and you really did it - you really did, and well done on your 15th anniversary. Outstanding John, truly outstanding. Scott. Florida.

Hamilton Hall is a one of... The only place I have found with such a wonderful energy. Been around a bit and believe me Joihn, there is only one you. Robert. Sydney, Oz.

Heartfelt congratulations on HH's and your 15 year anniversary, well done on such a superb venture, love Nigel.

Hamilton Hall is getting a whole new computer system installed over the next few days so if you do not get an answer to an e mail straight away or your booking is taking a few days to do, please be patient with us and wait. It is a massive job, and my new IT guy is ' on the ball.' ( Just wish I was...)

SPRING IS HERE and the daffs are flowering and tons of other things are sprouting out of the earth and getting ready for flowering soon. The sun is bright and clear today after a wet and windy night and everything looks clean and crisp and ready for a long hot summer ahead. I love the spring as it holds great promise of things to come... hot days - long warm evenings, a busy hotel, great laughter and fun, enjopying the garden and growing our own tomatoes etc... So thrilling.

NO MORE DISCOUNTS

Because of the level of abusive e mails and phone calls we have received from a few who assume we owe them an extra discounted price and have been generally arrogant and rude towards us ;- please know that I am not here to have people scream at me down the phone that I am a crook, a thief, a con man and a liar when our instructions are very clear and precise and - to be honest - I cannot fathom what I can do to make it any more idiot proof.

ALL B&B SPECIAL OFFERS ARE BEING STOPPED Any already booked and paid - thankyou for your custom.

I know exactly how reasonable our charges are and for what you get compared to any other venue, so from now on the full price on the CHARGES / TARIFF PAGE will apply to all B&B bookings.

As usual, it is the few who spoil it for the rest and as a NOT FOR PROFIT VENUE - and where I do not get paid a wage while working 7 days a week and 12 - 15 hours a day, and where we offer scores of

FREE HOLIDAYS FOR THOSE IN NEED

I will not take the abuse any more. To those who have created this - shame on you.

Went to Glastonbury today ( yes I took a day off - and out ) and whatever you do - DO NOT USE YOUR TOMTOM - as it will send you through the country lanes - barely one lane wide - through some pretty scenery but NOT the most direct or fastest or anything else, while claiming it was the fastest and most direct - just lanes that do eventually lead you to Glastonbury but in a very VERY irritating and annoying manner. I know the way - I have driven it many times, but not for some time and I thought I would trust Chis's TomTom and see what happened - and so much for that.
On the way back I decided to completely ignore what Basil Fawlty was telling me ( John Cleethes on TomTom) and went the way I knew - and it was straight forward and so easy and yet all the way, TomTom was trying to take me off to the right - off to the left - off anywhere into rural country lanes and off the main road, which is still only one lane each way so not a dual carriageway or motorway - and still not that speedy, and to keep trying to take me the most illogical route imaginable shows that we truly cannot trust technology. I have to admit to taking the same time to get there as I always did - about 2 hours, but when you are driving past farm buildings and cow poo, and you are driving 4 feet from their front dopor and their animals, you do wonder where the hell this lane will lead you and should you ignore what you are being told and just turn around.
Had a lovely day although it was cold and wet but still managed to buy some things for our new Room 2 's Indian feel - and while costly in Glastonbury, I adore the place... Love the spiritual buzz and the friendly people, the eclectic cafes and shops and the whole feel of the town / village. I would never wish to attend the festival - too many people and too much mud - and this is the wrong time of year anyway - and it is good to get home, unpack, explore the new things, make plans for hanging various pieces tomorrow, and enjoy a restful evening after 4 hours driving ...

WEATHER MEN ADMIT TO GETTING IT WRONG for last weekend when they said it was going to be a heat wave and it is nice to see they are starting to admit their mistakes. Mind you, One would assume they have years of practice at apologising for getting it so wrong as it seems that at least 80% of weather predictions by the MET Office - ARE WRONG - and not just slightly wrng, bt DISASTEROUSLY WRONG. Rain when they say dry - Fog when they say clear skies - Wind when they say it is to be still - and over the years what with ' BarBQ Summer' - which was a miserable mistake - it seems th MET is unfit for purpose.

OUR CONSERVATORY here at Hammy Hall - just as you walk in the front door, use to be our smoking area and since the law change hardly anyone has used this space at all and it is rather wasted, and while full of plants, no one sits out there any more or even sees it... SO :- This summer we are clearing out most the plants and with some tables set up, are going to grow some indoor veg like lettuce and tomatoes and see how we get on. I have no experience of indoor growing and any suggestions or hints you can offer, the better. The conservatory has a solid roof and windows on the east, south and west and gets plenty of sunshine and the windows have blinds to shut out the harsh summer sun, and I am hoping for a good crop of home grown food to share with the guests in the summer - and all this despite the guest who wrote the daft review somewhere that all our food was ' microiwaved food slopped on a plate.'
I already grow some stuff ' out the back' and have enought opmatoes to feed the street ( last year ) and if you can suggest something that may be easy to grow, pretty and colourful and will feed the five thousand ( ha ha ) and is available in my local garden centre, I will give it a bash... Only too keen to grow my own and have less harmful chemicals in my food.

MISSY HAS A NEW FRIEND: Chris - my neighbour who does all our maintenance here, has acquired a new dog from a friend who could not cope with it, and this 5 year old Jack Russel cross has become part of the fmaily as he lives in and out of Hammy Hall and Missy, my dog, has taken to him and they are friends. He does bark sometimes when he wants something and he does have to be kept on a lead when you walk him as he likes to go off on his own, and he is not my dog and I am training Chris as well as the dog - and not how to SIT and ROLL OVER and BEG - ha ha - but how to be as well behaved as Missy.... ha ha
The first night he was here he was humping just about anything that would move, my leg, my arm, Missy told him off a few times so he wasn't going there again but this did not deter him from trying his luck with us - and he was like a mad thing - determined to get his lipstick ( or dipstick ) out for all of us to see and we did giggle. Thinking this was going to be a nuisance we discussed having his balls cut off and he must have heard for the very next day he settled down and has not pestered or climbed a single leg since. Maybe he heard. Maybe it was just that initial meeting. Maybe it was my human sex appeal that confused the little fella ( I can understand that ... ha ha ) and maybe being around Missy - a spayed bitch - that was hard for him, and maybe it was just all new and exciting - as now he is very well behaved and while he does like to bark occasionally and is not as well behaved as Missy, he is doing alright and is a sweet little thing.

PRIDE - THE MOVIE - see below
I sent out an e mail to our adult bating group members offering a free copy of the DVD to anyone who booked within 48 hours for the upcoming event we are hosting here and I did not have a single enquiry. Not one. Interesting how people ask repeatedly for varius things and suggestions are always being offered and when you plan such an event - as requested - and then it flops because of lack of numbers, it does dishearten and batray trust, as it costs me money organising and planning these events and when you ask for it and then do not attend it dissapoints. Hugely.
COME ON GUYS - you will complain if Hammy Hall closed down and there really is nowhere to visit for such events and we do have the largest Diary of Events for gay and bisexual men anywhere in Europe, and without your custom .........

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK

time is running out to save

50% ON YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT HAMILTON HALL

March 30th 2015 this offer ends

My brother has just had his first holiday in over a decade by taking his caravan down to sunny Spain for 6 weeks and he arrived home yesterday to stories of constant rain and wind, flooding and thunderstorms. He spoke of being in the caravan feeling it rock about all night and having to wear normal winter clothes much of the time. He and his wife had a great time and enjoyed caravan living and I am sure he will go again, it is just such a shame for them that the first time away in such a long time, and taking the caravan and car and everything down to Spain was a long haul trip and not a cheap one, and for the weather to be so bad is such a shame for them.
Mind - with so much turmoil on the planet and so many peoples lives turned upside down - none of us can complain as at least we are not living in Syria or Afghanistan - and while we may complain about the credit crunch and shortage of money - job - sex life - no boyfriend - and so much more - I also appreciate what I do have and thank God for the blessings that are bestowed upon me - even if I do not always understand and appreciate - I am alive, I have good health - I have a home and a job I love - and friends and customers I clasify as friends who support and offer their best, and I am thankful for all that life has given me. In return, I do what I can in my own small way to put something back - Free holidays - money for just causes - space at Hammy Hall for local political / self help / environmental / mental health and other groups I support,- to meet here for free - as well as trying to offer a varied and different approiach to some of the news items you hear on the telly - through this web site. If only we all did our bit - remembered our humanity and how we are all in this togethjer, regardless of religion or anything... and be a global family.

CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
HAMILTON HALL 2014

I often see these awards and think - well - who voted that the best pub / club / gay venue - as no one asked me and who voted it the best ??? ... and consider it all a load of bollocks to get you to spend more money in their bar. Trip Advisor;- while I say they are tossers and a waste of time - this certificate of excellence is an award because of the amount of positive feedback we have received from those who have stayed here and THAT is wonderful and I am proud and thrilled about that. Compared to many other venues, we could easily be a 3 or 4 star B&B but I do not buy into the tourist board schemes which - again - are just money spinners for the council - and I do not waste my money with something that has such little meaning.

66% of visitors attend alone.
22% attend with a partner / friend
6% come on business

New Year Joke:

When I found out I was Bi Polar, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I ordered this movie from Gays the Word Bookshop in London ( HERE) after a customer suggested it and I have not cried as much while watching a movie as I did last night. Filled with sweet tender moments that make you ' fill up' and several times when the tears really flowed - as the story of a group of gay men and lesbians decide to collect money and support the coal miners during the Thatcher period of destroying the Miners Union back in the 1980's and the ' coming together' of people from very different communities - 1) Coal Miners - 2) Gay Men and Lesbians - and the acceptance and rewards that these very different communities find through a battle with authorities for acceptance of a way of life and to keep their mines open.

With those from the gay community understanding persecution and bigotry only too well, they appreciate and value what the miners are going through fighting the Thatcher government for the right to keep their livlihoods and their communities up and running. Gay men have fought for decades for acceptance in law ( which we tend to take for granted now we have all we fought for ) but these were the days when GAY PRIDE MARCHES were political and had a powerful message about equality and not the Mardi Gras celebration of - er - what exactly ??? - as it is these days up and down the country and the London Gay Pride marches of the 1980's were London based - and tens of thousands would attend from all over the country. We had a common goal we shared - about acceptance and a change in the law - and the way these gay men and lesbians took it upon themselves to raise funds and moral for the miners - is breath taking - and I did cry - several times.

I found this film to be very moving and as I am old enough to remember the onset of HIV and Aids and all that was ' going down' in the mid '80's, this film is well worth a visit and have a big box of Kleenex handy, oh and you will laugh out loud as well - as there are many very funny scenes.
With some familiar faces - this well produced and executed story keeps its point and keeps you watching. Not too ' over the top' and certainly not too preachy about gay rights - it hit the nail right on the head and combined the difficulties of being a member of the gay /. lesbian community and a member of a small mining community and a coming together of real opposites with a common goal, and from this coming together, acceptance and love prevaile.
I shall certainly be watching this film a lot with customers here at Hammy Hall and shall certainly now be ordering at least another dozen copies from GAYS THE WORD BOOK SHOP - as they helped - back in the '80's - by offering the group of fund raisers to use their facilities in the shop and I would rather spend my money buying the DVD from them than Amazon.

"Marijuana is far safer than alcohol, tobacco and multiple other illicit substances, researchers say, and strict, legal regulation of cannabis might be a more reasonable approach than current prohibitions. Those are the findings of a new report published in Scientific Reports that compares the lethality of the recreational use of 10 common drugs, including marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, diazepam, amphetamine and methadone."

The TV programme I was involved in - ' 3 IN A BED' was repeated on channel 4 again today and I recceived around 125 e mails from people full of praise and congratulations and I am always very humbled by peoples comments. I replied to every single e mail in turn as they had taken the time and I consider it rude not to reply, and 95% came from straight women who understand bullying and how I stand up to the bully in the programme.

It does sadden me though, although it did actually make us all laugh - when this one below came through this evening - naturally with a fake e mail address so I cannot answer, and it REALLY says a great deal about these two men.
You can make your own mind up as I am not even going to waste my time writing a response for this web site:- they simply are not worth my time.

'OMG just seen the repeat `Three in a Bed` you are so disgusting. As a gay couple we are sat cringing how such a programme & TV can air gay guys like you ?? your both ugly as fuck, obviously riddled, have the total opposite views to life than any normal people so you can`t be surprised to why people hate you. Such a bad example for gay guys. I hope you experience much un happiness in your life. x'

Very sad and actually quite pathetic.

However - this one below was a typical one that flooded in and I share it with you here :-

Hi, I Just watched you on 3 in a bed, and just wanted to say that you were a complete ambassador with what you are trying to provide at your B&B. You dealt with the difficult situation in a calm, composed and measured way and you are to be congratulated for the way you acted. Your B&B seems like a wonderful environment for your specific clientel and your vision. I am so glad there are people like you who are happy to do nice things for people, just because its the right thing to do. lots of love and very best wishes, Annette

Dear John: I think you handled the thinly veiled prejudice you received with great dignity and you laid the smackdown superbly! And hard as it to change minds, I think you may just have started a process of someone beginning to challenge their own fears and prejudices. So, whenever you get an email from some abusive bigot or terrified conservative, please remember that there are many people out there who feel inspired by what you do and completely support your work. Dani

Today I received - through Paypall - a donation for £10 to cover the cost of the book I gave Andrew in the programme froma complete sytranger, a women, who watched the programme and was so moved. This kind and thoughtful gesture moves me dearly and a very big thankyou to all those who have sent their best wishes and so many kind wiords about the programme ct. It is very humbling.

CIRCUMCISION

Chatting to some guests here the other day and the phone rang. I was away for about 25 minutes and when I returned thay wondered where I had been for so long, and when I said on the phone to a customer they looked pouzzled why it took so long. I mentioned that the enquiry was not so much about the hotel, but more about how the man on the phone was going to be circumcised in a months time and was asking me all about it. It seems the hospital and various people involved had offered him no counseling or any kind of advise about what to do and what not to do - afterwards - and he was dead nervous and so - out of the blue, had founf my web site and thought I sounded the right person to call. My customers were amazed and astounded and couldn't believe it. I told them how this was quite a common thing here - and that tons of people phone or e mail and ask advise etc. on tons of things and if and where I can offer a sensible answer and try and alleviate their doubt and/or fears - I will. This man needed to know about after care - managing a cut dick compared to an uncut dock - ie: wanking. I told him all about it - took him through some sensible techniques and advised him accordingly and if and when he ever coinsiders making a reservation at Hamilton hall, it will be good to put a face to a voice on the phone. It earns me nothing but is the decent thing to do.
They were absoluytely amazed and couldn't believe the conversation I had just had - right in the middle of an afternoon cuppa and how casual I was about such a conversation. There are times when you need someone to talk to about stuff that few can help wqith and if and when I can offer some good and sensible words, I will, and I hope I helped this man. It took 20 minutes out of my day and I consider that nothing when i consider the anguish he was going through and how he stated at the end how greatful he was for my time and how at ease he now felt.

And why not., If more people just took the time to listen and respond with kindness, wouldn't this be a nicer planet ?

A woman just called and said that she was on my web site and how much she was enjoying it and that while we are a men only hotel, she was fascinated with how I spoke on the web site like a normal human being and not some corporate model of professional service with cold indiffernce. She said she was giggling and enjoiying it and had been for several hours ... so that was a really pleasant and cherrished call and thankyou to her. It cheered up my afternoon.

HAMILTON HALL

IS GOING THROUGH SOME CHANGES

AND WE NEED YOUR HELP

Every single event that takes place at Hamilton Hall comes from myself - every idea, every notion and just about everything;- and as much as I ask you all what you want - the response is zero. It is the same for any gay venue, yahoo group and charity - when it comes down to it, 99% of people are somewhat apathetic andseem to expect someone else to do it all for them. Joining in and taking part seems impossible for some people and it is as if their GET UP AND GO HAS GOT UP AND GONE and it is left to the very few to organise, plan and facilitate and then feel very dispondant when input from others is so dreadfully low. Many great events and workshops etc. are cancelled because of lack of input and unless someone else organises every little detail, most seem content to do nothing. Your help below is requested. You can sut and paste onto an e mail and address to

gaymen@hamiltonhall.info

As a MEN ONLY HOTEL - one of only a few left in the UK today that is strictly men only
and the only residential venue in the UK hosting more events and theme weekends than anywhere else -

SOME OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS

PLEASE GUYS - MAKE YOUR IDEAS SENSIBLE AND REAL AS THESE ARE JUST SILLY

One suggestion I would make is to open up for cash one night visits - it sometimes makes it much easier. Ry xx

How about a Tight Jeans weekend. Regards Malcolm..

John: Would love to spend a whole weekend in nappies and diapers. Any plans for a weekend for us kids into our babyhood. Robert.

A generation ago, schoolchildren caught fighting in the corridors, sassing a teacher or skipping class might have ended up in detention. Today, there’s a good chance they will end up in police custody.

In Texas, a student got a misdemeanor ticket for wearing too much perfume. In Wisconsin, a teen was charged with theft after sharing the chicken nuggets from a classmate’s meal—the classmate was on lunch assistance and sharing it meant the teen had violated the law, authorities said. In Florida, a student conducted a science experiment before the authorization of her teacher; when it went awry she received a felony weapons charge.

Over the past 20 years, prompted by changing police tactics and a zero-tolerance attitude toward small crimes, authorities have made more than a quarter of a billion arrests, the Federal Bureau of Investigation estimates.

Nearly one out of every three American adults are on file in the FBI’s master criminal database.

The USA has between 5 - 8% of the worlds population but 25% of the entire worlds prisonser are in the USA, and this sorry state of affairs tells us that either this country is absolutely full of criminals, or that the authorities are too heavy handed and abusive with its people and that many - quite simply - should never have been put in jail or even tried in the first place.

The world only beats a path to your door when you're in the bathroom.

When I'm finally holding all the right cards, everyone wants to play chess.

Tony Bray died just before Christmas 2014, and I shall miss him. He was a good and dear friend who visited and loved Hamilton Hall and would sit in the Conservatory meeting and greeting people as they came and went and everyone loved his peaceful and charming manner. He was 79 years of age and a real sweetheart. He will be missed, dearly missed.

HELP US TO BRING THIS NEWSMAGAZINE TO YOU
BY DONATING A LITTLE SOMETHING TO HELP US KEEP IT GOING.

Every penny raised goes to help the many people we help with food, company, a week or weekend away, counseling, and even sometimes helping with clothes. In one case we bought a homeless student a bike to get to college on, and in another , a guitar and lessons to play for a local lad whose life was aimless and he was stoned on drugs all day and all night and we are today, guiding him into making a life for himself - get his act together - and have some order in his empty life. We do what we do for absolutely no reason other than